We can all learn from our childhood selves. That innocent kid within us that used to take the world at face value and trusted the process of life. I know that we can learn a lot from our childhood self and re-introduce a childlike wonder into our daily experiences. Here’s how…

1. Ten Things Everyone Needs To
Learn From Their Childhood Self!

2. Intro:
We can all learn from our childhood selves. That
innocent kid within us that used to take the
world at face value and trusted the process of
life. I know that we can learn a lot from our
childhood self and re-introduce a childlike
wonder into our daily experiences. Here’s
how…

3. Be more trusting of others & let
others instead of building barriers
As we get older, life throws us challenges and
sometimes those challenges cause us to shut off
from the world in order to protect ourselves. We
get hurt and we quickly learn to judge others and
build barriers to keep others and the world at
bay. This gives us a sense of control but it also
fosters loneliness and disconnection from others.
Learn to let the barriers down and allow others to
get to know the real you. The more someone
knows you, the more empathy they will have for
you. The world will be seem a warmer, friendlier
place.

4. Adopt an open, honest attitude and
express yourself freely
Children speak their minds but this isn’t taken the wrong
way because young children do not operate with
malicious intent. They just express congruency
between their inner world and their outer world.
Freedom of expression starts to dwindle as we get
older. Society conditions us to keep quiet and behave.
In this way, we tend to lose a small part of our true
character in an effort to fit in and be acceptable in
society. By expressing yourself and resisting the urge to
always be politically correct, you are honoring your
childhood self. Speak your mind and be open in a
positive way. Compliment others and spread goodwill.
You’ll be making the world a better place.

5. Wear your heart on your sleeve
There is an innocence and a delicate trust that children show
when they wear their hearts on their sleeves, yet they do it
naturally. They will tell someone that they like them or that
they would like to spend time with them. Adults who often
fear rejection, hide their true intentions leading many
interactions to resemble a guessing game. When we don’t
trust the world, we focus on our suspicions and our
thinking changes the way we interact with others. We treat
others with caution and unwittingly change the whole
dynamic of the social interaction by way of our behavior.
Actively choose to see the good in others, learn to trust and
people will more often than not meet that expectation in a
positive way. When we give others the chance to help us or
do the right thing, they will often oblige.

6. Rediscover your curiosity about life,
love and the ways of the world
Being inquisitive involves understanding that there
is still so much to learn. We never stop learning
no matter what age we are. Children constantly
ask “Why?” and this is a habit that we tend to
grow out of. Start asking yourself “why” instead
of just accepting the status quo. Our childhood
self had a hunger for knowledge that helped us
grow and discover. You are never too old to learn
and understand more. An active brain keeps the
mind healthy and strong- it needs to be exercised,
just like the rest of your body. Curiosity is a
virtue.

7. Foster optimism about the future
• Do you remember how excited you used to be just
before Christmas? That feeling of intense joy and
anticipation is hard to beat. Rekindle that childlike
emotion by expecting good things in your future. As
adults, we tend to be more cynical and almost expect
disappointment but this can set us up for failure.
Expect the best and try not to constantly imagine all
the things that could go wrong. Imagine that the best is
yet to come and trust that things will turn out okay.
Even if they don’t turn out as you expected, deal with
what comes your way without torturing yourself
needlessly with negative anticipation.

8. Dream big and imagine the
impossible
How often have you heard a child say something
like “One day, I am going to be an astronaut”. Our
adult minds immediately scoff at this idea and
think about all the logical reasons as to why this
might never happen…financial restrictions,
competition from others to find a job and so on.
We employ self limiting beliefs without even
realizing it and in the process. We minimize our
chances of attaining what we dream about. It’s
okay to dream big just as our childhood self did.
As the saying goes “you can’t score a goal if you
aren’t on the playing field.”

9. Maintain a “can do” attitude
Most children tend to think positively rather
than negatively. Once we become adults, our
thinking tends to default to the negative. Our
childhood self looked at possibilities. If we
wanted to build a tree house, we would go
about thinking about how to make it happen
instead of focusing on all the reasons it might
not happen. This is an important attitude to
nurture. It can fill your life with possibilities
rather than regrets.

10. Be playful and silly sometimes
• All work and no play makes a person very dull
(and miserable!). Children spend a large amount
of time escaping from reality to mess about and
have fun. Make time for your childhood self to
come out and play. Run around the garden, wear
a silly hat or spend time laughing. All of these
activities release endorphins – that ‘feel good’
hormone that makes us feel happy and alive. Life
can be too serious sometimes so make sure to
lighten your life up with a little fun.

11. Live in the moment
There’s a lot to be said for enjoying the present
moment. Often, we’re either resentful about the
past or worrying about the future. When we do
this, we suck the enjoyment out of the present
moment by not being fully present in the here
and now. As a child, life was lived as it played out
– then and there. Your childhood self was present
in the moment and enjoying everything that was
happening around them as it happened. Your
childhood self savored every moment and rarely
worried about the past or the future. This is one
of the keys to happiness.

12. No hidden agenda
What you see is what you get. Young children very rarely
have a hidden agenda and your childhood self was no
exception. That childlike innocence that is devoid of
assumptions and prejudices. You still have this skill
within you. See the world at face value, like a child
would and you will enjoy a more peaceful existence. As
adults we torture ourselves with ideas about what
someone intended or why they behaved a certain way.
Often, we will never know but we nevertheless agonize
over situations and possible “what ifs.” When you take
situations at face value, the innuendo and game
playing goes over your head and cannot bother you.

13. We automatically assume that as adults, we are
wiser than when we were children but there is
a lot to learn from our childhood self. That
raw, true element of our nature that lived life
with no holds barred and worried less about
outcomes, possessed wisdom. Reconnecting
with your childhood self allows freedom and
creativity to flourish. Approach the world with
an open mind, judge less and laugh often and
you will be on your way to rediscovering your
childhood self.

14. Written by; Adimabua Emmanuel
Computer Instructor @ Odalo Computer
Training institute
Tel: +2348109811117
Mail: Adimabuaemmanuel@yahoo.com
Facebook page: www.facebook.com/redlords